Exploration

After visualizing the vague idea into something concrete, the next step is selecting the materials that would be used in constructing the prototype. Before constructing the prototypes, the properties of each material is analysed according to the prototype's requirements. The steps include:

1. Analyze material performance requirements for a given application.

2. Create alternative solutions, screen them, and then rank the viable candidates.

3. Use quantitative methods in materials selection.

4. Incorporate computer methods in the selection process.

5. Find reliable sources of material properties.

The nature of the selection process

Selecting the optimum combination of material and process cannot be performed at one certain stage in the history of a project, it should gradually evolve during the different stages of product development. After identifying the function of the component, the following questions become important:

• What are the primary design and material requirements?

• What are the secondary requirements and are they necessary?

General steps in materials selection

1. Analysis of the performance requirements.

2. Development of alternative solutions to the problem.

3. Evaluation of the different solutions.

4. Decision on the optimum solution

Only after answering these questions can we move forward to choosing the material and constructing the prototypes accordingly.